Final answer:
The only woman known to have directed films in Hollywood during the 1950s within the studio system was Ida Lupino. The information provided does not specify a name but Ida Lupino's contributions are often recognized in this context.
Step-by-step explanation:
The lone female director in Hollywood during the 1950s was not widely recognized, as the era was dominated by male directors. Alice Guy, an important figure mentioned in historical accounts, was the world's first female filmmaker and was active in the film industry much earlier, at the turn of the 20th century. However, she was not working in Hollywood in the 1950s. The information presented does not specify a particular woman who held a directorial role in Hollywood specifically during the 1950s. Instead, it highlights the general climate for women in that era, like Betty Friedan, who were beginning to question their limited roles in society. It is possible that the student may be referring to Ida Lupino, an actress and director who did direct in Hollywood during the 1950s and was the only woman to do so within the studio system at that time.